FASHION DILEMMA

Can Drew Barrymore capture the look of Little Edie?

First came the documentary, now (predictably) they've made the movie. Regrettably, the real Little Edie Beale didn't live to see her status as a cult fashion icon translated into a TV biopic by one of Hollywood's leading ladies, but we suspect she'd be ecstatic about the attention.

Anyone who cherished 1975's Grey Gardens will know what star quality its subject Edith Bouvier Beale possessed, since she and her mother - two direct cousins of Jackie Onassis – let documentary makers film their squalid, reclusive existence in a crumbling mansion on Long Island.

The combination of riches-to-rags mystery and Little Edie's commanding beauty made her a cult figure. Even in self-imposed exile, Little Edie's glamour remained wilfully entrenched, gliding around in ensembles of fur coats, swimwear, gowns, heels and trademark headscarves – her head enigmatically swaddled in fabric in every scene. She is the kind of woman who would eat Carrie Bradshaw for breakfast – and certainly wear her frocks better. So can Drew Barrymore pull off a convincing tribute?

In this behind the scenes clip, costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas talks about recreating Little Edie's look. But we much prefer Jezebel's saucy attempt to portray Little Edie as she would be seen today.

This is one biopic likely to split fashionistas loyal to its original heroine: Gawker labelled it a travesty, while fans beseech newcomers to see the real thing first, before HBO's Grey Gardens the movie premieres on TV this Saturday (we dream of plans for a UK release).

Are the femme fatales of Grey Gardens about to seduce a new generation? Is New York about to become awash with Little Edie headscarves? We shall soon see.

BANG ON TREND

Florals

Photograph: PR

Now if you've not woken up to this one, where have you been? As we predicted last year, the power of the flower has continued to blossom well into spring. It really is the trend that keeps on giving, and the recent change of seasons has seen fresh life breathed into this vintage concept.

The high street is bursting with chic and cheerful options. The simplest way to wear this trend is an easygoing flower-print dress like this Full Circle number, yours for £92, and which is ruffled and ruched in all the right places.

To co-ordinate, you can't go far wrong with a willowy patterned neckscarf. If you're prepared to splurge, this classic Alexander McQueen print is yours for £250.

With winter out of the way, it's time to inject some colour into office outfits, and a pretty corset such as this, will easily do the job. It's a mere £20 from New Look. And if you don't dare to bare too much flesh, you can dress it down with jeans or style it up with a cute pair of floral canvas pumps, like these which cost £22 from Topshop.

FASHIONISTA OF THE WEEK

Eva Herzigova

Photograph: Public Domain

Now, we know French women take the lead when it comes to appearing au naturel – unkempt body hair and nouvelle vague nudity being topics on which the Fashion Statement jury remains slightly doubtful. But we do salute French Elle's latest set of covers, graced by supermodel Eva Herzigova, who bares all by appearing without a smidge of make-up or digital retouching. Isn't that refreshing, compared to Geordie glamour à la Cheryl Cole?

FASHION GRAVEYARD

The cowboy gilet

Photograph: Epsilon/Getty Images

Dasha, we love you deeply, but this little suede and leather Alexander Wang wild-west-meets-biker number you were seen sporting in Moscow this week is really rather over. As Red Carpet slyly points out, it has graced the shoulders of at least five other celebs before you, including La Lohan and Kelly Osbourne. Now, it's admittedly a great garment, but we're used to you leading the pack, not following it. Tut tut.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Photograph: Murdo Macleod

"People think you go home and be a celeb, sipping Laurent-Perrier and listening to classical music. You don't. You go home and wash some pants in the sink."

SHOPPING NEWS

Photograph: John Scarisbrick/PR

It's that time again, to queue up and bag a designer bargain with the launch of Matthew Williamson's spring collection for H&M. The high street store's latest guest collection goes on sale next week, and promises a gorgeous array of soft, floaty fabrics alongside a sharper set of colour-blocked tailoring in electric blues and greens. This long-sleeve peacock style dress, adorned with trademark Williamson print, goes on sale for £49.99 on 23 April. Only 200 stores carry these lines, but if you miss out, a summer collection follows on 14 May in around 1,600 H&M stores worldwide.

Marc by Marc Jacobs' new Mayfair boutique opened this week, at 56 South Audley Street, London, and a huge Union Jack filled the window as if to declare that the US designer has come to splurge some loving attention on us hard-up Brits. His timing is key: devoted fans of this range find it much easier to save up for than the main line, and there are plenty of ideal gifts on sale for less than £20. Now that's what we call recession-busting chic. If you can't get to the store, Marc by Marc Jacobs is available from Net-a-porter.

OUT AND ABOUT

For budding men-about-town, Smirnoff Black is running a series of Modern Gentleman masterclasses to coax you into the genuine, sharp-suited article. Experts will be on hand to offer guidance on how to dress, drink and talk the talk at London club/restaurant Sketch on Tuesdays 21 and 28 April, and 19 May. To book a complimentary place call 07951 483589 or visit www.moderngentlemanmasterclasses.co.uk for information.